Introduction

There has been conversations on social media about what Newhall Projects Ltd may or may intend to do with the land between the Newhall Project Office building off Sparrowhawk Way, and Meadow Lane. The purpose of this letter is to provide you with more information and clarification in this regard.

Context

Newhall Projects Ltd will shortly be letting a building contract for the construction of the new Community Building, which should commence construction in September 2024. The construction period will be circa 16 months from start to finish. From the point of commencement onwards the Majestic Landscaping Team, who are currently based on this site will not be able to safely use the area due to being in conflict with a live construction site.

Relocating the Landscaping Team

In the interim period, Newhall Projects will be relocating the Majestic Landscaping Team and their storage onto the LC1 development site on the corner of Forge Lane and Bridge Street, on the far side of the road from their current base.  They will have a secure compound and will gain access from Bridge Street.  As and when that development site is sold to a third party housebuilder, (either late 2024 or early/mid 2025 depending on the housing market conditions) the Majestic Landscaping Team and their storage area will need to be relocated again.

What are the options?

It is correct to say that the land in immediately to the south of the project office is one option that Newhall Projects is considering for a temporary compound for the landscaping team. So too are other parts of the Newhall estate that remain in Newhall Project’s ownership that do not form part of land leased to others or that form parts of completed public open space. No decision has been made and we will communicate again with you at the appropriate time as and when a decision is made that could affect you and this land. No plans have been drawn up because no decision has been made. At present there is no timescale involved in making this decision as there is no definitive timescale for the sale of the LC1 development site.

The eventual home for the Majestic grounds team will be part of the sports pavilion which will be sited to the north of Kennels Lane at the northern end of the Newhall development. The planned sports pavilion has an extant planning permission, but this is currently being reconsidered due to third party interested in joining with Newhall Projects to provide a larger sports facility. The existing planning consent will need to be amended to house the grounds team in any event, and once the Community Hall off Bridge Street is built and handed over, Newhall Projects will turn its attention to the plans for the pavilion to the north.

What if?

If we do decide to seek a temporary planning permission on Newhall owned land for a grounds team compound between our office and Meadow Lane, we will consult with you before making any planning application for temporary use. As part of this consultation we would want to meet with you to share our plans and invite your individual comments prior to making any such planning application.  If we did elect to make a temporary planning application on that land, and again that decision has not been made, then that would be publicly consulted upon by Harlow Council as Planning Authority who would serve appropriate notices in the press and signage on the closest lamppost. The Council will consider all relevant objections on planning grounds and any residents can write into the Council with legitimate objections for the Council to take into account in its decision making process.

I hope this provides residents with some clarity over the situation and we would encourage you to communicate directly with us in relation to this matter, as we will not be engaging in wider social media speculation, or potentially erroneous allegations made by others.

We will be back in touch when our own plans for the grounds team relocation have been clarified.